Mandatory Minicamp Day 1

The Eagles have a mandatory minicamp for the next three days. Let’s take a look at some of the practice notes from Tuesday. Instead of going writer by writer, let’s focus on players.

Alshon Jeffery

The highlight of the day was a simple out route by Alshon Jeffery. Sidney Jones had close coverage, but Jeffery violently threw Jones to the ground at the top of his route, getting wide open for the sideline throw. Of course, it was an obvious offensive pass interference call, but it was eye-opening physical domination.

On the one hand, it’s good that Jones had close coverage. On the other hand, it was emblematic of his lack of strength.

-Jimmy Bama-

Jeffery stood out among the other receivers, if only for a moment because of his size. The Eagles have other wideouts with as much or more length, but Jeffery’s frame is significant, and he may have bulked up some this offseason. I didn’t get to ask him if that were the case after practice but will get around to it later this week. Carson Wentz effortlessly tossed passes to the 6-foot-3, 218-pound receiver during individual drills and I couldn’t help but think of how both players didn’t start practicing together until last season started. There was some truth to the narrative of how the quarterback wasn’t looking as much in Jeffery’s direction — especially on deep balls – but a full training camp together should help their chemistry.

-Jeff McLane-

Jeffery isn’t in the same class as Julio Jones and the elite receivers of the NFL, but he is absolutely a difference-maker. A healthy Jeffery gives Carson Wentz a workhorse receiver on the outside. The Eagles are at their best when they spread the ball around, but there are times when you have to feed the ball to someone. Improved chemistry between Wentz and Jeffery would be great for the offense.

As for Sidney Jones, he does need to get bigger and stronger, but I don’t think we should make too much of this. I’m more interested in his cover skills.

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Blake Countess

It’s special teams now as the team works on kickoff coverage. It’s super early, but I always find it interesting from a roster perspective which players are working with the nominal first-team unit. Along with Jake Elliott, today’s group includes Andrew Sendejo, Rasul Douglas, Josh Sweat, Kamu Grugier-Hill, L.J. Fort, Blake Countess, Nate Gerry, Boston Scott, Sidney Jones and Avonte Maddox. Countess and Scott are the two names who should stand out if you’re into projecting the 53-man roster months in advance. It’s the best we can do to glean the thinking inside the building, absent of some kind of informant like Henry Hill.

-Bo Wulf-

Countess is serving as the personal protector on punt team.

-Mike Kaye-

As Bo points out, STs participants can sometimes be a good offseason hint. Countess has experience on defense and STs. He’s also young. There is a lot of logic to making him into a key role player. We know Jenkins and McLeod are the top two safeties. Things are less certain after that. Countess will have a legit chance to earn playing time this year.

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JJ Arcega-Whiteside

During 7-on-7 drills, the second-round rookie was unstoppable. He got open with ease on several reps and made an impressive diving touchdown catch in red zone drills. Wentz also hit Arcega-Whiteside for a 30-yard gain on a flea flicker early in practice.

Wentz and Sudfeld clearly feel comfortable making tough throws in his direction. Overall, it’s been a pretty strong offseason program for the rookie.

-Mike Kaye-

J.J. Arcega-Whiteside continues to impress. He caught the ball well today, and went down low for a red zone TD pass from Wentz. He also made a grab 30 yards down the field, again from Wentz, on a flea-flicker. With Wentz locked up for the next six years, and Arcega-Whiteside for the next four, it’s important that they begin to build chemistry, which they have so far.

-Jimmy Bama-

I love hearing all the positive reviews for JJAW. Rookie receivers usually have a hard time making a real impact. Adjusting to a more complex scheme and dealing with NFL defenders makes life very hard for the young players. JJAW is smart and hard-working. He is a good route-runner. He’s also a physical receiver so adjusting to the NFL style of play is easier for him. I’m really curious to see what kind of role the Eagles have for JJAW this year.

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Paul Worrilow

Worrilow missed a few practices during OTAs, but he was back Tuesday and active with both the first- and second-unit defenses. I don’t know where he fits, but I got to think the Eagles brought him back for good reason. Worrilow, if you recall, tore his ACL on the first day of OTAs last year. The Eagles had envisioned him as a backup to Jordan Hicks at middle linebacker. Zach Brown, who was signed last month, would seem to have the edge to replace the departed Hicks this year, but Worrilow could be a dark horse.

-Jeff McLane-

The Eagles have good competition at LB, with Worrilow being one of the key pieces. Worrilow can play inside or outside. He’s good on STs. He runs well. This is the kind of guy you want as a backup. Can he really push for a starting role? I’m not so sure, but the Eagles will give him a chance.

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Marken Michel

There’s usually one unknown receiver who manages to stand out in these early practices. This year that guy has been Marken Michel, who happens to be Patriots RB Sony Michel’s brother. Michel caught a deep ball from Wentz, and several other passes at every level of the field. It’s noteworthy that special teams coordinator Dave Fippmentioned Michel as a player who has flashed early this spring.

The question for guys like Michel is whether or not they can consistently sustain their promising play through training camp and into the preseason games. They usually can’t. We’ll see.

-Jimmy Bama-

For, like, the third time in two weeks, Wentz throws a perfect downfield ball that hits Marken Michel in stride for a huge play. Michel earned a shoutout Monday from Fipp, and frankly, he’s starting to give me some DeAndre Carter vibes. If there’s been one player previously considered an afterthought who’s flashed this spring, my nod would be Michel, who entered the league in 2016 as an undrafted free agent before heading to the Canadian Football League for two productive seasons with the Calgary Stampeders.

“Who’s 80?” asks Sheil. “One more (catch) and I’ll remember who he is.”

-Bo Wulf-

Michel has become a really interesting player. He was nothing special at UMass, but he’s developed into a legit NFL prospect. Michel is finding a way to stand out in practices. We don’t know if he can keep this up, but so far he’s done a good job. It is always fun when a guy comes out of nowhere to get people’s attention.

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Other QBs

Wasn’t the best day of Nate Sudfeld. He got “sacked” a number of times, including at least one play where Joe Ostman worked Jordan Mailata. The coverage deserves some credit but it felt like Sudfeld was holding on to the ball too long at times. Sudfeld did have a quality touchdown throw to Dallas Goedert during red zone drills.

Clayton Thorson continues to struggle. The rookie quarterback threw a really bad pick on the final play of practice. It was his former college teammate Godwin Igwebuike who logged the interception.

-Brandon Lee Gowton-

I can live with Sudfeld being up and down. Practice isn’t easy for backup QBs on talented teams. That said, Sufeld’s lack of experience and erratic showing does have to make you a bit nervous.

As for Thorson, he’s a project. A tough spring and summer might actually help the Eagles. They could cut him and put him on the practice squad with no fear of losing him. Obviously they would rather have Thorson light it up and force them to keep three QBs.

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Jake Elliott

For the first time this offseason, we have kicker notes! Jake Elliott missed a couple kicks during warmups (we don’t count those), but he was 6/6 on the kicks during the special teams period. As always, we’ll track all of Elliott’s kicks throughout camp, because, well, I’m a nerd.

-Jimmy Bama-

Nerd only scratches the surface.

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Young DL

 Josh Sweat’s speed and hustle was on display today as he chased down Donnel Pumphrey about 40-50 yards down the field. Sweat can move in the open field.

-Jimmy Bama-

Joe Ostman spent his rookie season on the team’s practice squad and he used that time and a full offseason to gain 10 pounds of muscle – and a bull rush. “Oh, he brings it,” right tackle Jordan Mailata said. “He really gets up on you and has a lot of power. It’s very legit.”

-PE-

The Eagles need young DL to step up this year. It doesn’t matter if that is Sweat or Ostman or Shareef Miller. The real test will come in Training Camp when the pads are on and there is full contact. Still, it is good to hear these guys are flashing. Sweat is made to stand out in OTAs with his size/speed combo.

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LINKS

Jimmy Bama

Jeff McLane

Mike Kaye

Brandon Lee Gowton

Bo Wulf

PE.com

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